LESSON 1
GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Around one in seven persons in the world is a Muslim. Among Christians, Catholics alone are also one in seven. As for West Africa, in Nigeria, although statistics are disputed, Muslims are a strong minority, while Christians may be slightly more numerous. Muslims form a heavy majority in Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry and Sierra Leone, and are very important in Liberia and Ivory Coast. In Ghana, Togo and Benin Republic they are a minority, but increasingly vocal and visible through radio, TV, new mosques and amplifiers. Everywhere they wield considerable economic and political power.

Whether Muslims are rich or poor, influential or weak, educated or illiterate, they consider themselves more privileged than others because they belong to "the best community ever raised up on earth" (Qur'ân 3:110). They are on the right way, while outsiders, even those who lead beautiful moral lives, are astray and missing the most important thing in life: correct faith in the one God and his Messenger Muammad.

Muslims are generally reluctant to become Christians or even study Christianity, because they think it is inferior and has nothing to offer them. In some places religious discrimination and bad relations make it even harder to approach Muslims. Yet the Church was given the command, "Proclaim the Gospel to all creation" (Mark 16:15).

We cannot proclaim the Gospel to Muslims without understanding very well their mind and feelings. This can only be done by knowing what they believe in and what is their history. Then, by the grace of God, we will find ways of relating to them with mutual respect and understanding. God will bring them some steps closer to himself, and the day of Christian unity will be closer.

Some attempts to convert or reach Muslims have only stirred up more ill will because the Christians either misrepresented Islam or misrepresented Christianity. A thorough knowledge of Islam and of Catholic theology is necessary for a factual and objective presentation.

This calls for a study of the life of Muhammad, the basic beliefs and practices of Islam, the history of Islam especially in West Africa, a study of what binds Christians and Muslims together and what separates us, and some guidelines for relating with Muslims. That is what the remaining chapters of this book attempt to do.

QUESTIONS

  1. What percentage of the population is Muslim in your country? in your state/area? What percentage are Christians? and Catholics specifically?
  2. How influential are Muslims in your country/state/area?
  3. Why are most Muslims not interested in studying Christianity?
  4. Why do we need to study about Islam?
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